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The article presents information on Rio Bravo Rocklin Power Station in Lincoln, California, jointly owned by subsidiaries of Constellation Energy Group Inc. and North American Power Group Ltd. It is stated that without making much improvement in its operating numbers, Rocklin stuttered through several years of poor performance while working with biomass. Facts about how the plant tackled problems related to fuel supply management are given.

The article informs that Xcel Energy Inc. has completed the third and final project required by its 2003 metropolitan emissions reduction project (MERP) agreement. The project was for repowering the Riverside Plant in California and tearing down the old coal-fired plant. The existing and unused facilities were demolished or relocated to make room for new equipment. MERP gave two more projects to Xcel Energy Inc. which was completed in 2007 and 2008.

This article asserts that the Magnolia Power Project, a 310-MW combined-cycle plant in downtown Burbank, California, proves that "urban load-centered generation" is indeed practical, if the right pieces are put in place. SCPPA financed and owns Magnolia on behalf of six of its member municipal utilities. The state's deregulation bomb was built by mixing equal parts price regulation, plant construction delays, regulations prohibiting long-term wholesale power supply contracts, and gross mismanagement by public officials. The fuse was lit by the market-fixing shenanigans of a few traders, and consumers took the brunt of the blast. A quick analysis of data from the California Energy Commission Web site reveals the depth of the problem. Since the advent of deregulation in 1996. Exacerbating the problem. California's electricity supply system is old. and its reliability continues to rely heavily on kilowatt-hours imported from nearby states. As a result, the impact of anticipated new capacity must be put in context. INSET: About SCPPA.

Provides information on the High Desert Power Plant (HDPP) of Constellation Energy Group located outside Victorville in California. Role of a partnership between Constellation and the local government in establishing the plant; Challenges faced by HDPP in maintaining its operations; Secret to the success of HDPP.

The article presents detailed information on Panoche Energy Center, located in Firebaugh, California. The plant, owned by Energy Investment Funds and operated by Power Plant Management Services LLC, uses General Electric Co.'s GE LMS100s with fast-start capability. Several features and highlights of the plant, including fast response, efficiency, water use, environmental responsibility, and schedule, are also discussed.

The article presents the author's views on the impact of California's energy policy on its economy. Despite California's poor economic conditions, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill that increased the state's renewables portfolio standard (RPS) goal from 20 percent to 33 percent by 2020. The author says that two key energy policies, among others, that are increasing the cost of electricity are the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32) and the state's newly hiked RPS.

The article offers information on the Draft Plan issued by the California Air Resources Board (ARB). It mentions that the draft Climate Change Scoping Plan is proposed for implementing Assembly Bill (AB) 32, California's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions-reduction initiative. It also mentions that the Draft Plan proposes a comprehensive set of actions designed to not only reduce overall GHG emissions but also improve the environment, reduce dependence on oil, save energy and enhance public health along with creating new jobs. It also mentions that Wisconsin Public Service Corp. placed its coal-fired steam generation technology, Weston 4 into commercial service on June 30, 2008.

The author comments on the impact of technology on personal privacy in the U.S. He says that privacy rights will also have to be considered by government programs designed to curb peak power consumption. According to him, an early victory went to supporters of privacy this January when the California Energy Commission retreated from plans to include programmable communicating thermostats in its proposed 2008 energy-efficiency standards for buildings.

The article focuses on the 1-MW fuel cell power plant that is operated by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (SNB) in Chico, California. The company uses high technologies for brewing and has won many awards for its beers. It requires power round the clock for its production and any kind of power cuts would mean losses. Ken Grossman, CEO of the company, thought of using the combustion turbine system to cope up with power requirements. However, he dropped the plan thinking of the pollution it would cause. So, finally it was decided to install a 1-MW direct fuel-cell power plant as it was environmentally safe and cost effective as well. SNB hired the company Alliance Power to complete the project. The power plant was successfully developed and is running efficiently.

The article focuses on the troubled energy industry in the United States. The power consumption in California has increased 11% but power generation is decreased by 2% from 1990 to 1999. About 22% of power is imported due to poor investment in new power plants. More investments are needed in power infrastructure in New England otherwise the electricity has to be purchased from the neighboring countries. Nuclear power is used to meet 26% power needs in New England.

Focuses on the emergency power alert which hit California on March 29, 2004. Factors which will contribute to a continuous emergency power alerts in California in the summer of 2004; Actions taken by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to solve the problem of power shortage; Condition of the power plants approved for use by the California Energy Commission.

Comments on forecasts on energy supply in California as of June 2003. Forecast by the California Energy Commission concerning power shortages and blackouts in the state; Remarks from a manager at California Independent System Operator regarding some mismatches between power supply and demand; Predicted increase in power demand; Factors that affect the power crisis in the state.